Last weekend marked the finale of Deep Cuts, an exhibit that bore witness to the artwork of Jonny Kelson and Matt Franzen. Born just over a year ago in a spirit of collaboration between the two artists, Deep Cuts came to full fruition with an opening reception four weeks ago. Since that night, a night filled with the air of celebration and a good many people; many more visited the Rogue Buddha Gallery, spending time contemplating the merits of the exhibit, of which there were many. Continue reading “sweet endings/lovely beginnings”

I was about 20 years old the first time I entered a painting into the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition. It didn’t get accepted. Fair enough (pun), the painting sucked. In fact, the oil paint might have still been wet when I dropped it off and nails poked through the back of my shoddy makeshift frame, that can’t help ones chances… I then entered numerous more times only to have my ego repeatedly dashed against the jagged rocks of the unrelenting shores that is the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition. Continue reading “fair enough”

A prologue is a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work. In the context of my paintings, this exhibit represents the start of something, although of what to be exact, I do not know. A few older works (1 to 3 years old) dot the gallery. Intermingled with those pieces are a number of newer paintings (studies really) that represent my intention to explore and invent within my preexisting artistic framework while not being tethered to it.

The mid to late summer of 2017 has been defined by playfulness and curiosity where my work is concerned. Painting with acrylic paint rather than oils has offered me an opportunity to concoct new palettes and visual dramas across the panel allowing texture, layering and brushwork to captivate and elicit emotional responses beyond the subject matter and composition.

Throughout the month of August, this exhibit will invariably change, as new pieces will be added as they are completed, replacing older works.

Poster for bob Show pop art exhibit at Rogue Buddha Gallery in Minnespolis Minnesota during July of 2017

bob SHOW is now in it’s third week at the Rogue Buddha Gallery! bob SHOW features 7 artists that each exhibit a unique take on contemporary Pop Art. This exhibit is curated by Boxy Mouse and is really something special! Featured artists include Kii Arens, Biafra Inc., Boxy Mouse, Haze XXL (Thomas Hazelmyer), Math.I (Jeff Mathison), TOOTH and WUNDR.

An artist talk with Boxy Mouse will be held Friday, August 4th at 7:00pm, and the show will close on Saturday, August 5th.

The NE Open Studio Tour is once again upon us this weekend! I’m excited to share that not only will the Rogue Buddha Gallery be open for the festivities and feature the art work of Rudy Fig, Michael Thomsen, Alex Kuno and myself in an exhibit entitled Devil’s in the Details as well as art work by Rachel Girard, John Largaespada and Chuck Cowan… but! We are also hosting a satellite exhibit for the amazing photography of Moustache Jim just down the road! All the deets are on the FB page.

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ABOUT

Nicholas Harper is an artist, owner of the Rogue Buddha Gallery in Minneapolis since 1999, curator of the arts and culture journal Amorous Vespertine and now editor of roguebuddhism.com

This site is a creative playground for all that tickles Harper’s fancy.

These pages will be riddled with personal stories, insights about the Rogue Buddha Gallery and the arts in general, essays and opinion pieces, fictional stories, gallery updates and posts related to his work and the artists he loves and exhibits.

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